term contract with Liverpool after being
asked about reports linking him with
Barcelona.
Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho says it is
"complicated" to talk about speculation linking him
with a move to Barcelona due to his long contract
at Anfield.
The attacking midfielder is reportedly a Barca
close-season transfer target, but still has five years
left to run on his Liverpool deal.
Coutinho is set to captain Brazil for the first time
against Australia in Melbourne on Tuesday and he
insists his focus is on the Selecao.
"Talking about this is complicated because I have a
contract with my club and it is long," Coutinho told
reporters when asked about Barcelona's interest.
"So my focus is on the present and the national
team. My focus is here.
"In Liverpool I feel really comfortable. So
everybody knows my work there. The director, my
boss knows what I'm doing there.
"I work hard too here with the national squad.
Every time here is different for me, I try to be better,
improve my football and still try to get my place.
"I think when he arrived he gave us confidence. The
team has grown up and we started to win matches.
Now we are at another level.
"Being captain another level for me and today
[Monday] is my birthday so it's a special moment
for me.
"It is a huge responsibility for me. We have some
of the best players in the world."
Coutinho said last month he would prefer to be a
key performer for Liverpool than become "just
another player" at one of Europe's top teams.
Asked for his birthday wish, Coutinho, now 25,
said: "Win the match tomorrow. It's important for
our preparation for the World Cup. Another team,
another style of football. I want to play a very good
match.
"I think all the players are prepared for this game
and the style of Australia. It will be a competitive
game. They have players of quality, they are strong
and tall. It is different from what we find in Europe,
so we are all prepared for this."
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